Use of carboxylic acids in the extractive conversion of rare earth chlorides into nitrates

Abstract

The main characteristics of extraction system for the conversion of total rare earth chlorides into nitrates with the use of higher isomeric carboxylic acids as extractants have been determined. Laboratory simulation of the process shows that two simplest manipulations: extraction and back extraction, allows conversion of total rare earth chlorides into nitrates with their simultaneous preconcentration by factor larger 40 without evaporation stage. These results can be further used in practice, for example, in the processes of extractive separation of rare earth elements.